Early spring is the right time for everyone to make progress. On the afternoon of January 8, SPI (SAI) 2021 New Year Party was held as scheduled in the brilliantly illuminated grand auditorium with melodious music. XU Jiangang, Executive Vice President of SPI (SAI) attended the party and delivered a new year greeting. The school committee members, retired veteran comrades, school faculty and staff, graduate students and other staff representatives of SPI gathered together to welcome the new year.

In his speech, XU Jiangang, on behalf of the President, Dean and all school committee members, paid high tribute to the old leaders and comrades for their long care and support for the development of SPI, and expressed heartfelt thanks to all faculty and graduate students. XU pointed out that in 2020, under the strong leadership of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and the Shanghai Municipal Government, SPI (SAI) successfully and steadily combated the COVID-19 epidemic and resumed work and school, and achieved remarkable results in various tasks: one, SPI (SAI)  has studied and implemented the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in depth, and thoroughly implemented the Regulations on the Work of CPC Party Schools (Administration Institutes), firmly consolidating the SPI’s leading position among the provincial party schools nationwide. Two, SPI (SAI) has always put political construction in the first place. With learning and implementing the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the main line, it has carried out the study and education regarding the “four histories” (the history of the Communist Party of China, the history of the People’s Republic of China, the history of reform and opening, and the history of socialism development) in a solid and effective manner, and guided faculty and staff to further enhance the “Four Consciousnesses”—maintaining political integrity, thinking in terms of the big picture, following the core leadership, and remaining aligned, foster the “Four Matters of Confidence”—confidence in the path of Chinese socialism, in the theoretical foundation of the path, in the system of Chinese socialism, and in the Chinese culture, and ensure “Upholding the two authorities”—resolutely upholding that President Xi Jinping is the core leader of the Party Central Committee and holds the core position of the entire Party, and resolutely upholding the authority of the Party Central Committee and centralized unified leadership. Three, SPI (SAI) has always taken the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the main line, and focused it on major work and main courses, so that it effectively played its role as the main channel for cadre education and training, and actively overcame the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. There were nearly 160 training sessions throughout the year, with nearly 10,000 trainees. There were new highlights in curriculum development, and 4 courses have been selected into the National Course Recommendation List of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee. SPI (SAI) launched the omnimedia Party lectures “The Chinese Capability (The Chinese Governance Behind the Anti-Pandemic)” in due course, and published the book of the same title. The “Innovative Thinking” training room was successfully established. Four, SPI (SAI) deeply studied and interpreted the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the integration of teaching, research, and consulting has entered a new stage of development. A total of 13 national projects and 16 provincial and ministerial projects have been approved, and 126 papers were published in core journals, with 34 books written (or compiled). The results of the policy-making consultation have got positive annotations by 91 leaders at provincial and ministerial level and above. The “Think Tank for Research on Modernization of Government Governance” of SPI has been included in the first batch of “Shanghai Key Think Tanks.” Five, SPI (SAI) has always adhered to strict management of the school, persisted in studying politics through academic research, and focused on strengthening the construction of a high-quality professional team, and the overall level of SPI (SAI) in school management has been improved as a result.

XU Jiangang emphasized that this year marks the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the first year of the “14^th Five-Year Plan” and an important year for entering a new stage of development, implementing new development concepts, and serving the new development pattern. All faculty and staff of SPI (SAI) must unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, hold high the great banner of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, under the strong leadership of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and Shanghai Municipal Government, always adhere to the fundamental principle of “Party schools must be surnamed Party,” implement the spirit of the Regulations, and contribute the power of SPI (SAI) with extraordinary performance to create new miracles of Shanghai’s development in the new era!

“Teachers are the model for all people.” Before the artistic performances, the commendation ceremony of “Shanghai Advanced Workers” and the award ceremony for SPI “Honorary Professors” were held. XU Jiangang expressed his warm congratulations to Professor WANG Gonglong who won the title of “Shanghai Advanced Worker,” and awarded the “Honorary Professor” medals to Professor YUAN Bingda and HUANG Lizhi. The hard-won brilliant achievements of SPI today benefited from the continuous struggle and determination of generations of outstanding talents like them.

Next, the artistic performances kicked off with the patriotic and affectionate dance China is My Home. The reciters of the Communist Manifesto led everyone to pursue the light of truth and eternal faith. Dancers in cheongsam danced to the song Ode to Red Plum –their dance was demure and elegant, and the costumes were beautiful. In the cheerful drumbeat of The Sky Above the Liberated Zone, everyone listened to the singing of the lofty Baota Mountain and the rushing Yanhe River, as if seeing the people of the liberated area singing and dancing, and celebrating their liberation. “Don’t forget your original aspiration; keep forging ahead; across a myriad of rivers and thousands of hills; the most beautiful Chinese path...”  Through singing, newcomers expressed their unregretful original aspiration of being a SPI member with courage to progress in the new era. The rock-and-roll version The Internationale performed live by a band and sang passionately in multiple languages won the audience’s endless cheers and applause. The poem recitation performance Recall · Echo led everyone to recall the mental journey since the founding of CPC, reviewed the history and determined the future direction. The modern dance team infected the audience with a youthful and enthusiastic dance to the melody of Brave the Wind and the Waves. “The Peony Pavilion · Stroll in the Garden” performed by the Opera Association was a breathtaking vision, allowing everyone to appreciate the exquisite and elegant beauty of Kunqu Opera, the “teacher or ancestor of a hundred operas.” The dance Haixing People’s New Journey of Pursuing Dreams vividly expressed Haixing people’s care and support for the SPI, and their brave dreams, and firm confidence in creating a better life with hard work. In the affectionate and melodious chorus of Osmanthus Blooming in August and Direction of the Party Flag Flying, the curtain descended on the artistic performances.